Hand fertilizer distributor



Dec. 28, 1943. w. R. WHITEN HAND FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTOR Filed June 25, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 4. a j M v 7 .7 7 w v @M u w 2 7- w w W 2 a a Z 7 6 M iv s M W .J M. J W 0 Dec. 28, 1943. w. R. WHITEN HAND FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTOR Filed June 25, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 28, 1943 UNITED STATS' FAT FFIC' 1 Claim.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in means for distributing fertilizer and more particularly to a hand controlled apparatus.

An important object of the invention is to provide a distributor of the character described which can be easily carried about and from which fertilizer can be dispensed in the amounts desired.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a side elevational view of the appliance.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the spout and allied structure.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view through the adjusting means.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the lug headed bolt.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 5 denotes a sack adapted to be suspended by a shoulder strap 5 under the pit of one arm of a person carrying the same.

From one lower corner of the sack 5 a spout '1 depends, this spout having an obliquely cut ofl lower end, which is open. A sheet metal spreading foot 9 is attached a at I!) to the lower portion of the spout l and is disposed in inclined position under the end 8 of the spout, this foot 9 being of flaring and transversely curved contruction.

A U-shaped guide H is provided at the upper portion of the spout l, the end portions of the legs of this U-shaped guide ll being attached as by welding or the like to the spout 1. One leg of the guide ll is bifurcated to define a slot I2 in which a bolt it is movable. This bolt it has a head H3 at the inside of the bifurcated leg and this head l4 has a laterally disposed lug It. On the bolt [3 is a wing nut or the like I6 and between this wing nut IB and the outer side of the guide H are washers 17.

An elongated hand bar l8 extends through the guide I l alongside the spout l and below said guide through a rod fulcruming structure 24. The lower end of the hand bar is has a laterally disposed portion inserted through and pivotally connected to an apertured ear 26 on a hinged flap-type closure 27 at the lower end 8 of the spout I, the arrangement being such that if the upper end of the hand lever 18 is moved toward the spout 7, said bar it will be swung on the fulcrumed structure 24 to swing the closure 21 away from the lower end 8 of the spout l to open said end 8. As will be understood, movement of the upper end of said bar It in the opposite direction, or, away from said spout I, will effect operation of the closure 2'? to close said end 8 of the spout l. A coil spring 22, the opposite ends of which are suitably connected to the bight of the guid H and to the upper end of said lever l8, tends to swing the upper end of said lever 18 away from the spout l. A plate 26 is suitably fixed to the hand bar it between the legs of the guide H and extends upwardly above said guide and hand bar to provide a hand grip for moving the bar. Intermediate the legs of the guide It, said plate 2&3 is provided with a right angled edge flang IS on one side of the hand bar it adapted to be engaged with the lug it to limit movement of the upper end of th hand bar it away from said spout, or, in other words, in a direction to cause closing of the end 8 of the spout l. The arrangement of the hand bar it, lug i5 and flange I9 i such that by moving the upper end of said lever l8 toward the spout l and then flexing said upper end laterally away from the lug It, said flange 19 may be disengaged from the lug E5 to move past the same so that the spring 25 may act to move said upper end of said hand bar away from the spout 'l. A flange 2| similar to flange i9, but wider, is provided on the plate 26 for engaging one leg of the guide l i when the upper end of the hand bar i8 is flexed laterally, for the purpose described, and to thereby limit such flexing of said bar. As will now be seen, the flange l9 and lug l5 coact to limit closing movement of the closure 21, and by setting the bolt it along the slot l2, the limit of closing movement of said closure may be varied selectively. As shown in Figure 1, the slotted leg of the guide ll may be provided with spaced-apart notches 23 for indicating different settings of the bolt l3 and consequently establishing diiferent limits of closing movement of the closure 21.

Obviously, the structure shown in Figures 3 and 4 will permit adjusting of the closure 27 to the desired open position and the operator can then by moving the spout about broadcast the fertilizer or otherwise dispense the same knowing that only a certain amount can be liberated.

The spreader 9 is preferably welded to the lower end of the tube 1 and is of such a shape when the fertilizer is discharged and falls onto th spreader it will be scattered for most efiicient results.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A fertilizer distributor comprising a portable container having a spout depending therefrom terminating in a discharge end, a fan-shaped spreader element below said end and fixed to the spout, a closure plate hinged to said spout for swinging movement toward and from said end to close and open said end, respectively, and means to swing said closure plate comprising a hand bar pivoted intermediate its ends on said spout to extend alongside the same and operative in opposite directions to swing said closure plate toward and from said end, respectively, means to limit swinging of said bar in one direction comprising a guide member extending from said spout crosswise of said bar and longitudinally slotted, a bolt settable along said slot and provided with a stop lug, a flange on said bar for abutting said lug, and spring mean for urging said bar in said one direction.

WILLIAM ROY WHITEN. 

